The Ghana Chamber of Mines has reaffirmed its commitment to transparency and responsible disclosure, revealing that Ghana’s mining sector generated over US$40 billion in mineral revenue between 2014 and 2023.
Delivering remarks on behalf of the Chamber at the launch of the Africa Extractives Media Fellowship (AEMF) in Accra, Emma Morrison, Regional Manager for Gold Fields Ghana and Vice Chair of the Chamber’s Public Relations Committee, said transparency is central to the mining industry’s social contract with Ghanaians.
“Our role extends beyond the extraction of minerals; it is about the extraction of trust,” Morrison said. “Transparency helps citizens understand how mineral revenues are generated and reinvested. It reassures investors of ethical governance and affirms our commitment to accountability and national development.”
Transparency Through Data and Disclosure
Morrison shared that between 2014 and 2023, Ghana’s total mineral revenue exceeded USD 40.15 billion, with over USD 29 billion reinvested locally through the Bank of Ghana and commercial banks. The industry also dedicated more than USD 220 million to corporate social responsibility (CSR) projects nationwide.
In 2024, the mining sector contributed GH₵ 17.7 billion in fiscal payments to government — a 51.2% increase from GH₵ 11.7 billion in 2023. Dividends paid to the state rose by over 600%, reaching GH₵ 1.03 billion, while mineral royalties climbed 76.7% to GH₵ 4.9 billion.
“These figures provide a transparent and verifiable record of our contribution to Ghana’s development,” Morrison said. “Open fiscal reporting is the most effective way to strengthen public confidence and combat misinformation.”
Media Partnerships for Accountability
Morrison emphasised that transparency must be complemented by an informed and responsible media capable of translating technical data into stories that the public can trust.
“Transparency cannot thrive in isolation,” she said. “It depends on journalists who can interpret complex industry data in ways that promote understanding and accountability.”
The Chamber, she noted, has invested in journalist training through partnerships with the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) and Journalists for Business Advocacy. In September, more than 40 journalists participated in a training workshop in Kumasi focused on responsible mining reporting, fiscal literacy, and the mining value chain.
The Chamber also organises Mine Tours, offering journalists first-hand insight into safety standards, environmental practices, and community development — initiatives Morrison described as “investments in mutual understanding.”
Shared Commitment to Responsible Journalism
The Africa Extractives Media Fellowship (AEMF) — an initiative of Newswire Africa with support from the Australian High Commission and other partners — was highlighted as a vital step in strengthening public-interest journalism around the extractive sector.
“Our partnership with the AEMF reflects a shared vision of responsible journalism and open governance,” Morrison said. “When the media is informed, the public is empowered — and that strengthens accountability across the entire value chain.”
A Culture of Openness
Morrison reaffirmed the Chamber’s determination to make data transparency a permanent feature of Ghana’s mining landscape.
“Every cedi of mineral revenue — from royalties to taxes — must be traceable, verifiable, and appreciated for its role in Ghana’s progress,” she said. “We are building not just a transparent mining industry, but a more informed society — one where truth replaces speculation and trust replaces doubt.”